DELETERIOUS INFLUENCE OF WATER-LOGGING ON POTATO IN WARM CLIMATES

Waterlogging is a potential abiotic stress problem in the warm tropical potato growing areas, particularly in the lowland rice-based cropping systems.
A field experiment was conducted in San Ramon, Peru during the rainy season to evaluate the effects of waterlogging on 12 clones (8 lowland tropical adapted clones and 4 highland adapted clones). A single week-long flooding period during the tuberization stage was sufficient to significantly reduce the tuber productivity of most clones.
The flood treatment however had a yield enhancement effect in a few late clones.
Flooding significantly reduced the number of tubers and the visual acceptance quality of the tubers.
Effect of flooding on the dry-matter content, weight of rotten tubers, and harvest index varied among clones.

Physiological effects of flooding were further evaluated using flood tanks and in-vitro multiplied plantlets transplanted in “jiffy” pots and tested in flooded trays.
Plant survival was severely reduced by the flooding stress and a difference in the leaf water potential was noted.
Clonal differences in response to the stress indicated a high potential for the selection of tolerant types.

Symposium on Tropical Root Crops in a Developping Economy

I.J. Ekanayake

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1994.380.79